GA jolts Cheltenham, 58-36, behind 'selfless' Magarity

A basketball purist would enjoy watching Germantown Academy's Colleen Magarity.

Although she does not dazzle in the scoring department, Magarity makes a big impact for the Patriots with her aggressive defense, level-headed play, hustle and leadership, among other things that don't show up in the scorebook.

Yesterday, contributing all of the above, she helped spark Germantown Academy in a surprising 58-36 rout of Cheltenham in the sixth annual Scholastic Play-by-Play Network Classic at Cardinal O'Hara High.

"Colleen is real patient, real smart, and she's a selfless captain," Germantown Academy coach Sherri Retif said. "She's all about what's best for the team."

With her playmaking abilities, Magarity, a 5-foot-4 senior and four-year starter, paved the way for a combined 37 points by fellow guards Caroline Doty and Maggie Lucas.

"I'll shoot the ball if I'm open," Magarity said, "but I mainly look to find my teammates in good spots."

Magarity scored only four points, but she limited Cheltenham's Misha Horsey, a whirlwind point guard and Stony Brook signee, to five points.

"I didn't look at the ball," Magarity said about defending the lightning-quick Horsey. "I just concentrated on watching her hips and not letting her get past me."

Magarity, a three-sport athlete at Germantown Academy, will play lacrosse at Northwestern. A first-team all-American and member of the U.S. under-19 national team, the 17-year-old from Oreland netted a school-record 76 goals for the Patriots last season. She also played soccer.

"I love the variety that goes with playing three sports," Magarity said. "Also, it's always fun being part of a team."

Her father, Joe, owns two car dealerships in the area and was a former hoops player and assistant coach at nearby La Salle High.

"I don't think he's missed one of my games," Colleen said. "He's the most inspirational figure in my life."

Her grandfather William Magarity was a well-known businessman and supporter of youth sports teams in the area. He died last year after a long illness.

"That was hard, losing him," she said. "He was an amazing athlete and pushed me to be my best."

Magarity's three older siblings toughened her up. Katie Magarity played field hockey and basketball at Mount St. Joseph Academy. Chris (basketball, baseball) and Kevin Magarity (football, basketball) went to La Salle.

Against Cheltenham, Doty scored eight of her game-high 21 points in the third quarter as the Patriots (14-3 overall) went on a 17-2 run for a 46-24 advantage.

"She is so versatile on the court," Magarity said of Doty, who has made an oral commitment to attend Connecticut. "She hits a lot of shots and also creates things for her teammates."

Lucas, a freshman, drilled four three-pointers on the way to 16 points. "I love the way she plays," Magarity said. "She's so competitive and determined to get better."

La Salle signee Ashley Gale led the sluggish Panthers (13-5) with 11 points.

In an earlier game, Kathryn Stockbower scored 18 points and Lisa Harchut added 16 as Upper Dublin (16-1) downed Archbishop Wood, 55-39. Ashley Robinson led the Vikings (6-8) with 18 points.

Germantown Academy 12 17 17 12 - 58

Cheltenham8 14 4 10 - 36

GA: Jesse Cary 6, Caroline Doty 21, Colleen Magarity 4, Lindsay Freid 3, Maggie Lucas 16, Brianne Cowden 4, Torie Machikas 4.

C: Misha Horsey 5, Nicole Pender 2, Brittany Gunn 9, Ashley Gale 11, Dayna McCrewell 7, Jenna Peoples 2.